Triskel’s jazz offering is an integral part of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, often providing a haven from the busyness of the city during a jam-packed weekend. This year, Triskel have curated a weekend of cinema and concerts featuring the best of local and international jazz legends.

Cork musicians Paul Dunlea and Cormac McCarthy join forces on Friday 22nd October for a set that will include both standards and original compositions. On Saturday 23rd “piano whisperer” Marc Copland is taking to the stage for a concert that will also pay homage to his long time friend and collaborator John Abercrombie. The impressive line-up finishes on Sunday 24th with two concerts in association with Music Network – Xenia Pestova Bennett and Ed Bennett perform a a radical reinterpretation of Bach’s famous Goldberg Variations at 2.30pm, while at 8pm Kit Downes launches his brand new album Dreamlife of Debris.

“Triskel are very proud to bring together such special artists for what will be an outstanding weekend of exceptional music, all of it inspiring, original and sublime,” said Tony Sheehan, Artistic Director with Triskel. “We’d like to pay tribute to Music Network and Guinness Cork Jazz Festival for their partnership and support and what was a challenge to pull together for everyone involved.”

Read more: Triskel and the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

LL Groove Band have released their new EP entitled Fine & Strange on September 24^th

Recorded during the pandemic under lockdown this EP features all new material with a mix of funk, jazz and hip-hop. The EP is available on all music streaming platforms via distrokid.

This EP is a reflection of our inspirations, our way of coping with 2 difficult years. You will find punchy lyrics from Malin and tight grooves. Let yourself drown in the melodies and the flow.

Drums: Ben Cooper
Guitar: Gerry Lane
Saxophone: Yuzuha O'Halloran
Vocals and lyrics: Malin
Bass: Léon Laisne

Read more: LL Groove Band - Fine & Strange EP

Only Hugh - the debut fingerstyle solo guitar release by guitarist Hugh Buckley. The material on this recording includes original tunes by Hugh, tunes by Ellington, Monk and Harold Arlen and a couple of pop tunes from Hugh's youth. All tunes arranged by Hugh Buckley.

“During lockdown I had time to work on some solo guitar playing and I am really excited about developing this area of my musical journey. I have recorded my first solo guitar album for release in September 2021.”

Recorded by Ciaran Buckley Dorman, August 2021.
Cover art design by John Salinero.
Super8 b/w footage by Jonathan Matthey.
Video by HuBu.

Read more: New Album Release “Only Hugh” Solo Guitar Album from Hugh Buckley

World-renowned Russian dancer Ksenia Parkhatskaya and Irish double bassist David Duffy have co-written a full-length original album, Colours to be released on Jazzville records, Oct 3^rd.

Back in 2020, world-renowned Russian dancer, Ksenia Parkhatskaya released Rose and Blue, a jazz-infused song accompanied by a beautifully animated video which went on to win a host of filmmaking awards, also being nominated for best music video at La Jolla (LA), and PAMA (Paris)

She looks to solidify her reputation as a jazz singer (think Melody Gardot meets Stacy Kent meets Katie Melua...) this autumn with a full-length original album, Colours, released on Jazzville records, Oct 3rd

Read more: New Album Release “Colours” from Ksenia Parkhatskaya

Irish singer songwriter Aoife Doyle released STRENGTH TO BE STRONG, the first single from her upcoming album on 3rd September. The song is a groovy, soulful mix of gospel, jazz and roots, with stomping brass arrangements.

“STRENGTH TO BE STRONG is about having to dig deep to find the strength to stay strong in the face of ongoing adversity.  To release this song as the first single off the album felt like an appropriate choice, given the world events of the last 18 months.”

Aoife Doyle is originally from Bray, Co. Wicklow, and has been living in Liscannor, Co. Clare since 2014. She grew up in a house steeped in traditional and folk music, and completed a BA in jazz performance at the prestigious Newpark Music Centre, and an MA in Songwriting at the World Academy of Music and Dance in UL in 2018/2019.

Read more: Aoife Doyle releases new song - STRENGTH TO BE STRONG

D I S TA N C I A Is the debut album from Peruvian jazz guitarist Rodrigo Almonte. Combining his jazz, Peruvian music and Brazilian music influences, Almonte presents a unique proposal filled with musical emotion and interaction alongside an incredible group of international musicians.

Rodrigo Almonte is a Peruvian guitarist and composer based in Dublin. He has played extensively on the Peruvian and European jazz scene with his own different musical projects. His lyrical melodies, fresh chords and intricate rhythms are equally present and well-balanced on his solos and compositions. With his South American and contemporary jazz influences, Almonte brings a unique approach to music.

Read more: Rodrigo Almonte “DISTANCIA” Fund it Campaign Launched

Left to right: Bill Carrothers, Dave Redmond, Seamus Blake, Kevin Brady (Photographer Daragh McDonagh)

Ubuntu Music has announced the signing of The Kevin Brady Electric Quartet for Plan B, their upcoming worldwide album release on 8th October.

Plan B is the latest studio album by acclaimed drummer and composer, Kevin Brady. It features the stellar musical talents of U.S. saxophonist Seamus Blake, Bill Carrothers on Fender Rhodes, and bassist Dave Redmond. Brady’s ambition was to record an album that consisted of new, original compositions that explore improvisation in an electric quartet format. While tipping their collective hat to the music of the 1970s Miles Davis Group, along with the groove and funk based music of Herbie Hancock, many of the musical themes deal with the impact of what is happening in the world as we know it now. The music is hypnotically insistent, all with a lasting story of experience and optimism.

Read more: Ubuntu Music Signs The Kevin Brady Electric Quartet For Album Release